De’Tours in Elizabeth City
By Rebecca Cross
Step back in time with Bonnie Calliotte as she takes you on a personally guided historic walking tour of downtown Elizabeth City and then enjoy a traditional Victorian Tea in Elizabeth City’s oldest surviving brick home! De’Tours opened for business in September 2007 when the Calliottes moved from Old Town Portsmouth to Elizabeth City’s historic district. When they retired they were looking for a Historic home near the water and the Charles-Harney House in Elizabeth City fit the bill. After retiring from a career as an elementary school teacher in 4th grade history for 10 years, Bonnie decided to use her passion for history by leading Historic walking tours and hosting Victorian Teas. She brought her business from Portsmouth to Elizabeth City and spent about 6 months in the Raleigh archives learning all about our history. The walking tour is in a twenty block area of historic downtown and features a diverse collection of antique homes, including one of the largest collections of Antebellum buildings and homes in the state. Upon returning from the tour you will view the inside of the oldest brick home in Elizabeth City, a restored Greek Revival built in 1853, be treated to a complementary Tea, and learn about antiques from the 1840s Empire Period to the 1890s Eastlake Period. The tour is approximately 2 hours and is offered year round by appointment only. During the tea time, you will eat off of Bonnie’s great-grandmother’s hand painted China, and everything you eat, from scones to Devonshire Cream, is homemade from scratch. You will hear the rich history of her home at 400 W. Main Street and sit on period 1820 Romanesque Revival Chairs and learn about many other antique pieces as you tour the home. De’Tours has been featured in Victorian Homes Magazine listed in “Our Top 10 Tea Rooms” and is ranked #4 out of 87 in North Carolina. Bonnie also offers bridal shower teas, Teddy Bear table etiquette for children, and other special events. She loves what she does, and the fact that her local business draws people from as far away as California and Canada, shows that her passion for history and tea has paid off. Contact De’Tours at 252-333-1940 or 252-435-5427 for more information or visit her website at www.detours.embarqspace.com.